How far is Sycamore, IL from Waukegan, IL?

The driving distance from Sycamore, IL to Waukegan, IL is about 75.3 miles (121.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.3 miles (80.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
75.34 mi
01h 29m
Flight
50.29 mi
80.93 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sycamore.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.29 mi
Kilometers
80.93 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
75.34 mi
Kilometers
121.25 km
Drive Time
01h 29m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukegan
Tue, May 5, 9:34 AM CDT
Return by in Sycamore
Tue, May 5, 11:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sycamore
2026-05-05T08:05
Arrive Waukegan
Tue, May 5, 9:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sycamore
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Barrington Hills
IL

Village in United States of America

From Sycamore
31.2 mi
00h 44m
To Waukegan
44.1 mi
00h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph N
Destination
51°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sycamore and Waukegan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sycamore and Waukegan.

  1. 1

    Start on West State Street

    623 ft · 18 sec · West State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Plank Road

    12 mi · 19 min · Plank Road

  4. 4

    Turn left

    2.4 mi · 4 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Higgins Road

    8.5 mi · 14 min · Higgins Road

  6. 6

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Penny Avenue

    5 mi · 8 min · Penny Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Dundee Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Dundee Road

  9. 9

    Continue on New Sutton Road

    1.7 mi · 2 min · New Sutton Road

  10. 10

    Continue on South Hough Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · South Hough Street

  11. 11

    Continue on North Hough Road

    6.4 mi · 10 min · North Hough Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Barrington Road

    2852 ft · 1 min · Barrington Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Liberty Street

    3.4 mi · 6 min · West Liberty Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    46 m · 4 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Schank Avenue

    797 ft · 24 sec · Schank Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Ivanhoe Road

    3.7 mi · 6 min · Ivanhoe Road

  18. 18

    Continue on South Atkinson Road

    2863 ft · 1 min · South Atkinson Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East Belvidere Road

    1 mi · 2 min · East Belvidere Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Belvidere Road

    6.3 mi · 9 min · Belvidere Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Belvidere Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Belvidere Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Glen Rock Avenue

    2495 ft · 1 min · Glen Rock Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto South Jackson Street

    2647 ft · 1 min · South Jackson Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Jackson Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sycamore and Waukegan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
24 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Plank Road
12 mi · 16%
Higgins Road
8.53 mi · 11%
North Hough Road
6.35 mi · 8%
Belvidere Road
6.3 mi · 8%
Penny Avenue
5.04 mi · 7%
Ivanhoe Road
3.74 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Plank Road

Turn right onto Plank Road

12 mi · 00h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25 mi
50.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Barrington Hills
00h 44m from Sycamore
Leave By
3:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Sycamore and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sycamore to Waukegan?

The road trip is about 75.3 miles (121.2 km) and usually takes 01h 29m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Barrington Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 31.2 miles from Sycamore and 44.1 miles from Waukegan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 50.3 miles (80.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.03 one way or $20.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sycamore and Chance Rain Showers near Waukegan.

Stop Ideas Near Barrington Hills

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Barrington Hills, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Barrington Hills.

RAIL

Glenview station

30 mi away
1116 Depot St.
RAIL

Naperville

41 mi away
105 E. Fourth Ave.
RAIL

La Grange Road

44 mi away
25 West Burlington St.
RAIL

Summit

48 mi away
Archer Ave. and South Center Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sycamore and Waukegan. Straight-line distance: 50.29 mi (80.93 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Sycamore

City in Illinois

Population18,317
Coordinates41.9889200, -88.6867500
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Waukegan

#2 Waukegan

The second most populous city in Lake County, Illinois.

Population85,453
Coordinates42.3636300, -87.8447900
Altitude199
CountryUnited States
Start: W State Street (-88.68678, 41.988808)
End: North Jackson Street (-87.844706, 42.363629)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 121 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.66 gal
10.06 L · about $10.03
Round trip
$20.06
5.32 gal · 20.12 L
Estimated CO2
23.6 kg one way
Round trip: 47.3 kg / 104 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.03 $20.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.31 $22.63
Premium $4.65 $12.38 $24.76
Diesel $5.30 $14.11 $28.22

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Illinois · May 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Sycamore and Waukegan. The current time is 08:05:01.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.